U.S. vows to respond to deadly drone attack as Iran denies involvement

Three U.S. service members were killed and at least 34 wounded in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants on U.S. troops in Jordan, said U.S. President Joe Biden, the first deadly strike against U.S. forces since conflict between Israel-Hamas erupted.

"While we are still gathering the facts of this attack, we know it was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq," Biden said in a statement. "Have no doubt - we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing," he said.

However, Iran's mission to the United Nations said in a statement on Monday that Tehran was not involved in the attack.

"Iran had no connection and had nothing to do with the attack on the U.S. base," the mission said in a statement published by the state news agency IRNA.

The attack, which Iran said it was not involved in, marks a major escalation in tensions that have engulfed the Middle East, amid concerns Israel's war against Hamas militants could spread into a wider conflict involving Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq.

EU demands 'urgent' audit of UN Palestinian refugee agency

The EU has demanded an "urgent" audit of the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA and said it is reviewing funding, following Israeli allegations that some staff participated in Hamas's October 7 attack.

The audit must be led by European Commission-appointed experts and conducted alongside a UN investigation into the claims, commission spokesman Eric Mamer told journalists.

"What is absolutely clear is that these actions are urgent. They are important and they should be launched without any delay," Mamer said.

The European Union is one of UNRWA's top donors.

A commission statement said the EU executive "will determine upcoming funding decisions for UNRWA in light of the very serious allegations made on 24 January relating to the involvement of UNRWA staff in the heinous 7 October attacks."

It said that no additional funding to UNRWA "is foreseen until the end of February."

But it added that humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza and in the West Bank "will continue unabated through partner organizations."

UNRWA has fired several staff members over Israel's accusations, which have prompted numerous countries, including the U.S., France, Britain, Germany and Japan, to announce they were suspending further funding to the UN agency.

Significant gaps remain in constructive ceasefire talks

Biden and other world leaders have been pushing for a new temporary ceasefire to allow for the release of hostages held by Hamas and get more aid into Gaza as a prelude to a permanent truce. Talks initiated by Qatar and involving U.S., Israeli and Egyptian intelligence chiefs were "constructive," Israel said, while adding that "significant gaps" remain.

Hamas said any release of hostages would require a guaranteed end to Israel's offensive in Gaza and full withdrawal. Israel rejects such a plan although a Palestinian official close to mediation talks said implementation would not have to be immediate.

More than 100 people remain captive in Gaza, out of 253 seized when Hamas militants attacked Israeli bases and towns on October 7.

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